An investigator of the Main Investigation Department of the Main Directorate of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia for the city of St. Petersburg and the Leningrad region has completed a preliminary investigation of a criminal case of major fraud. Two men who temporarily lived in the Northern Capital will appear in court.
"According to investigators, the organizer of the criminal structure found accomplices who placed ads on the Internet for the sale of construction materials. Customers were attracted by the low price and promises of short delivery times. However, an advance payment was required. For convincing purposes, the attackers sent images of allegedly executed payment documents. If the victims agreed and transferred money using the specified banking details, they were not contacted, and the goods were not delivered. However, there was also a client who refused to pay for the purchase before receiving building materials. Then the scammers ordered them from a real supplier with payment when uploading. When the order was delivered, they sent the buyer the banking details to which the money should be transferred. After unloading, the delivery team informed the customer that the goods were not paid for. However, at this point, it was no longer possible to contact the attackers.
108 people from 35 regions of Russia and six legal entities were recognized as victims. The total damage exceeded 11 million rubles, " said Irina Volk, an official representative of the Russian Interior Ministry.
As a result of operational search activities, employees of the Criminal Investigation Department of the Main Directorate of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia for the city of St. Petersburg and the Leningrad Region in December 2021 detained two suspects. During searches at their places of residence, a mobile phone, SIM card and bank cards were found and seized.
The identities of the other group members are being established. The criminal case against them has been separated into separate proceedings. The investigation continues.
"As an interim measure for the subsequent compensation of damage to the victims, the property and funds of the defendants were seized.
At the moment, the criminal case on the grounds of a crime under Part 4 of Article 159 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation, with the approved indictment, has been sent to the Petrogradsky District Court of St. Petersburg for consideration on the merits," Irina Volk said.
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"According to investigators, the organizer of the criminal structure found accomplices who placed ads on the Internet for the sale of construction materials. Customers were attracted by the low price and promises of short delivery times. However, an advance payment was required. For convincing purposes, the attackers sent images of allegedly executed payment documents. If the victims agreed and transferred money using the specified banking details, they were not contacted, and the goods were not delivered. However, there was also a client who refused to pay for the purchase before receiving building materials. Then the scammers ordered them from a real supplier with payment when uploading. When the order was delivered, they sent the buyer the banking details to which the money should be transferred. After unloading, the delivery team informed the customer that the goods were not paid for. However, at this point, it was no longer possible to contact the attackers.
108 people from 35 regions of Russia and six legal entities were recognized as victims. The total damage exceeded 11 million rubles, " said Irina Volk, an official representative of the Russian Interior Ministry.
As a result of operational search activities, employees of the Criminal Investigation Department of the Main Directorate of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia for the city of St. Petersburg and the Leningrad Region in December 2021 detained two suspects. During searches at their places of residence, a mobile phone, SIM card and bank cards were found and seized.
The identities of the other group members are being established. The criminal case against them has been separated into separate proceedings. The investigation continues.
"As an interim measure for the subsequent compensation of damage to the victims, the property and funds of the defendants were seized.
At the moment, the criminal case on the grounds of a crime under Part 4 of Article 159 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation, with the approved indictment, has been sent to the Petrogradsky District Court of St. Petersburg for consideration on the merits," Irina Volk said.
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